The Ford Barn

CarlG · 03-21-2016, 01:23 PM

What is the best sealant to use on fuel line fittings. I especially need something that will work on the 3/8 NPT fitting between the tank and shut-off valve on a late '31 indented firewall.

pgerhardt · 03-21-2016, 01:57 PM

I used this stuff successfully:

Dollar Bill · 03-21-2016, 02:03 PM

I have always been a fan of Permatex products - Readily available and work as advertized.

Mitch//pa · 03-21-2016, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dollar Bill

I have always been a fan of Permatex products - Readily available and work as advertized.

Times 2

C26Pinelake · 03-21-2016, 02:21 PM

Permatex is a must for every tool box. Wayne

Tom Endy · 03-21-2016, 03:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The fuel leak seal on the Model A fuel line is not the threads, it is the ferule. The ferule is crushed between the nut on the fuel line at each end and the taper where it goes into the valve and the inlet of the carburetor.

What I do is wrap the ferule with Teflon tape, being careful not to get it over the end. The tape will form a seal between the ferule and the seat.

I road test rebuilt Zenith carburetors on my Victoria, which has an indented firewall and a side bowl Zenith. A regular Zenith uses a different shape fuel line so I am constantly switching fuel lines when I road test a Zenith. Each time I take the trouble to remove the old Teflon tape from each end of the fuel line and apply new wraps. With this procedure I am never bothered with a fuel leak at the fuel line connections.

Tom Endy

CarlG · 03-21-2016, 03:56 PM

Thanks Tom, I seem to have the ferule thing under control. It's the threads between the fuel shut off valve and the coupling sticking thru the firewall that give me a problem. These are regular 3/8" tapered pipe threads as far as I can tell.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-21-2016, 05:47 PM

I also like and use Permatex products.

SeaSlugs · 03-21-2016, 06:19 PM

id use permatex or gas resistant teflon tape.

Ray in La Mesa · 03-21-2016, 06:29 PM

The heavier yellow teflon tape designed for gas works well for me.

mshmodela · 03-21-2016, 08:08 PM

I used permatex to seal leak where GAV enters my zenith... Just the threads and worked well... However, I like Tom Endy's trick as I would likely at some point get my hands on the correct zenith for my late 31.

bunnyc · 03-21-2016, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray in La Mesa

The heavier yellow teflon tape designed for gas works well for me.

I learned something from this. All this time I thought "gas" meant natural gas. Thanks.

tbirdtbird · 03-21-2016, 10:35 PM

"The heavier yellow teflon tape designed for gas works well for me."

The yellow teflon tape is indeed for natural gas.
The poster in this case is using it for gasoline and reports it works well

hardtimes · 03-22-2016, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

What is the best sealant to use on fuel line fittings. I especially need something that will work on the 3/8 NPT fitting between the tank and shut-off valve on a late '31 indented firewall.

Hey Carl,
I've used Permatex Thread Sealer for years with great success ! Easy to use and any excess wipes right off. Not affected by gas, which makes it the gas line product to use, IMO.

Dave Mellor NJ · 03-22-2016, 12:19 AM

The yellow tape is made for gas or gasoline, anything petroleum. If you use dope you must also make sure it's petroleum rated. This goes for trans and rear plugs, too.

old31 · 03-22-2016, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Times 2

Times 3 for the Permatex Thread Sealant.

03-21-2016, 01:23 PM	#1
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Fuel Line Sealant What is the best sealant to use on fuel line fittings. I especially need something that will work on the 3/8 NPT fitting between the tank and shut-off valve on a late '31 indented firewall. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-21-2016, 02:21 PM	#5
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Fuel Line Sealant Permatex is a must for every tool box. Wayne

03-21-2016, 03:33 PM	#6
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Fuel Line Sealant Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The fuel leak seal on the Model A fuel line is not the threads, it is the ferule. The ferule is crushed between the nut on the fuel line at each end and the taper where it goes into the valve and the inlet of the carburetor. What I do is wrap the ferule with Teflon tape, being careful not to get it over the end. The tape will form a seal between the ferule and the seat. I road test rebuilt Zenith carburetors on my Victoria, which has an indented firewall and a side bowl Zenith. A regular Zenith uses a different shape fuel line so I am constantly switching fuel lines when I road test a Zenith. Each time I take the trouble to remove the old Teflon tape from each end of the fuel line and apply new wraps. With this procedure I am never bothered with a fuel leak at the fuel line connections. Tom Endy

03-21-2016, 03:56 PM	#7
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Fuel Line Sealant Thanks Tom, I seem to have the ferule thing under control. It's the threads between the fuel shut off valve and the coupling sticking thru the firewall that give me a problem. These are regular 3/8" tapered pipe threads as far as I can tell. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-21-2016, 05:47 PM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Fuel Line Sealant I also like and use Permatex products.

03-21-2016, 06:19 PM	#9
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Fuel Line Sealant id use permatex or gas resistant teflon tape. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

03-21-2016, 06:29 PM	#10
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: Fuel Line Sealant The heavier yellow teflon tape designed for gas works well for me.

03-21-2016, 08:08 PM	#11
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Fuel Line Sealant I used permatex to seal leak where GAV enters my zenith... Just the threads and worked well... However, I like Tom Endy's trick as I would likely at some point get my hands on the correct zenith for my late 31. __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

03-21-2016, 10:35 PM	#13
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Fuel Line Sealant "The heavier yellow teflon tape designed for gas works well for me." The yellow teflon tape is indeed for natural gas. The poster in this case is using it for gasoline and reports it works well __________________ '31 180A

03-22-2016, 12:19 AM	#15
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 774	Re: Fuel Line Sealant The yellow tape is made for gas or gasoline, anything petroleum. If you use dope you must also make sure it's petroleum rated. This goes for trans and rear plugs, too.